Movie Making Forums

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Movie Making Forum I: Day of the Writer Write Your Story, Make Your Story Movie Making Forum I: Day of the Writer is comprised of three parts (Part I, Part II, Part III). Note: Choose between Track A or B for Part I which will occur in same building. Everybody participates in the same events for Parts II and III. University Theater San Jose State University Part I, Track A: The Nuts and Bolts of Story Development If you're unfamiliar with the basics of creating a master screenplay or need a refresher course, Barnaby Dallas Head of Production and Professor of Script writing at San Jose State University will provide you with the essential tools and strategies that you need to maximize your story's potential. Renowned for his "cut to the chase" lecture style, Barnaby will quickly bring you up to speed on the fundamentals of dramatic structure, character development and dialogue; the fundamentals you need to create a master screenplay. Hal Todd Theater San Jose State University Part I, Track B: Script Analysis Class If you attended The Nuts and Bolts of Story Development last year, have equivalent experience or written your first screenplay, then you can choose this class. Presenter James Dalessandro will answer your questions about scripts you're working on and analyze film clips illustrating key screenwriting concepts. Dalessandro has written three novels; Citizen Jane, Bohemian Heart and 1906 an epic tale of the San Francisco Earthquake. He has optioned more than a dozen feature length screenplays. Warner Brothers Films is scheduled to begin production of the film version of 1906 in 2005. He recently optioned a television series S.O.S. to QMEDIA. James will answer your questions, analyze film clips to empower you to take your craft to the next level and entertain you along the way. James Dalessandro has sold more than a dozen feature films, including 1906, an epic tale of the San Francisco Earthquake, which was sold to Time Warner in 1998 after a major Hollywood bidding war. He has sold three books, including the acclaimed San Francisco mystery, Bohemian Heart, 1906 and the true-crime drama story, Citizen Jane, which he will produce for a Movie of the Week. Dalessandro has been a screenwriter and novelist for over 18 years having taught over 500 students in the past few years. He is also set to direct his first feature film, Borderline, which he also wrote. Note: Choose between Track A or B for Part I which will occur in same building. Everybody participates in the same events for Parts II and III. University Theater San Jose State University Part II: Structuring the Script - Three Act Linearity Whether you?re a novice or a pro this class will enable you to polish your script. San Jose State University professor Scott Sublett will cover the fine points of story and scene design including step outlines, plotting, conflict, set-ups and payoffs, foreshadowing and reversals. With his engaging style, Scott will equip you to shape your material for maximum dramatic impact. University Theater San Jose State University Part III: Panel Discussion - Writing the Great Screenplay Want to write great original maverick screenplays? Don't miss this panel, which will address narrative the conventions of the various Hollywood genres, international and independent films with a eye toward effective innovation in storytelling. The moderator is Andrew Horton; Jeanne H. Smith Professor of Film and Video Studies at the University of Oklahoma, award winning screenwriter and author of sixteen books on film. The panel also features DeAnza College instructors and screenwriters Ed Alzant and John Kim as well as filmmakers Karen Folger Jacobs and Paul Martin. Cinequest 15 Screenwriting Competition In its second year, the Cinequest 15 Screenwriting Competition received submissions from 634 screenwriters around the globe. During September through December, jury members selected 10 electrifying scripts for the final phase of competition. A final jury of leading industry professionals will choose three winners to be announced during The Day of the Writer event at Cinequest 15. The finalists screenplays are:

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath, Scott Liapis
Comfort, Benjamin Jones
Falling Into Skye, Mia McKenzie
Icarus the Clown, Markus
Griesshammer, William Kowalski
Kemosabe, Luis Aira, Michael Aronin
Ruby Dice, Karl Fink
Shalott, Ami Hendrickson
Stagolee, Tim Curley
Stories Just Off The Turnpike, Alan Roth
Willing, Jason Coleman

Movie Making Forum II: Day Of the Producer Movie Making Forum II: Day of the Producer is comprised of three parts (Part I, Part II and Part III). Don't Just Make a Movie, Sell it Too University Theater San Jose State University Part I: Make It, Sell It It used to be a major accomplishment to simply make an independent feature movie with professional production standards. For years, Cinequest has led the way to a more level playing field by championing and showcasing digital technologies that have made making a movie much more accessible. BUT, it seems no easier today to sell the independent movies that get made. Cinequest offers a dynamic, informative and diverse panel of industry leaders representing various capacities that effect the promotion and sales of a motion picture. This is a rare opportunity to get the inside picture of the distribution and marketing business. The stellar lineup of panelists includes:

Rob Aft, Adelphia
Brittney Ballard, New Market Films
Peter Belsito, Film Finders (Moderator)
Jon Fitzgerald, Festival Consulting Group
Shaun Hill, Indican Pictures
Dan Levin, Independent Consultant to Seventh Art Releasing
Thomas Mai, Katapult Film Sales
Edward Noeltner, Cinema Management Group
Ivan Oyco, Spyglass Entertainment
Bic Tran, Lakeshore Entertainment

Moderator, Peter Belsito, long-time Cinequest friend, is the co-founder of Film Finders, the standard acquisitions tracking tool utilized worldwide, that has the reputation throughout the film business for quality and comprehensiveness of information. Belsito was the founding member of the Independent Feature Project (IFP) in New York and Chicano Cinema Coalition. His produced documentary, Valley of Tears, is currently playing the festival circuit and is being distributed in the U.S. by Seven Arts. University Theater San Jose State University Part II: Creative Producing A panel of experienced and successful producers will explain and explore means of making movies using proven as well as leading edge strategies. Some of the questions and issues discussed will be: How does a producer succeed with traditional and creative funding methods? How important are bankable names in a movie and how do you get them? What is the role of a producer?s rep? Compare a sales agent versus a distributor? What is an international sales company compared to a domestic distributor? What about the various delivery media: Theatrical, DVD, TV, Internet? How does one best secure sales and distribution worldwide? How can film festivals help? What about industry screenings? What do attorneys do? And consultants? Publicists? How does a producer best create a strategic sales plan and execute it? Moderator, Robert G. Phelps, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and from Hastings College of the Law. He works as a deputy public defender in Santa Clara County. Other panelists include:

Andre Bennett, Cinema Esperanca International
Peter Broderick, Paradigm
Christopher Coppola, Plaster City
Rob Nilsson, Independent Producer/Director
Theresa McBride, Avant Films
Carlos Montalvo, North Plains
Holly Mosher, Independent Producer
Jacques Thelamaque, Filmmakers Alliance

University Theater San Jose State University Part III: Democratization of Digital Motion Picture The Day of Producer ticket includes admission to the DXD Forum Democratization of Digital Motion Picture Production. Cinequest recommends that producers also attend the DXD Forums on other days which are very relevant to producing issues. Movie Making Forum II: Day of the Producer is comprised of three parts (Part I, Part II and Part III).